I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
The most recent data available on the number of Irish speakers is from the 1986 Census of Population. Corresponding information from the 1991 Census will not be available until the end of the year.
The following table provides information from the 1981 and 1986 Censuses on the numbers and percentages of Irish speakers aged 3 years and over in each county and for the State as a whole distinguishing counties with an official Gaeltacht area and those without. It may be noted from the table that between 1981 and 1986 the number of Irish speakers aged 3 years and over increased by 24,288 — from 1,018,413 to 1,042,701 but showed a slight decline from 31.6 per cent to 31.1 per cent when expressed as a percentage of the total relevant population.
Number and percentage of Irish speakers, 3 years of age and over, in each Province, County or County Borough, 1981-1986.